Re: economic efficiency of free software

Phil Hughes wrote:
> > I don't think so.  A bank is in the business of taking in money, and
> > _using it for its own purposes_ (such as lending to businesses or
> > homeowners), on the strength of a promise to pay back under certain
> > conditions (which might be "on demand") plus interest.
>
> I just want to toss in a little more fuel.
>   1. Indirect barter is common for businesses. That is essentially
>      like a bank with no usary fees and no interest. Couldn't such
>      a aystem be used to make loans to developers? The effect is that
>      the debt (and the possible cost of a default) is shared by all the
>      members.
>   2. Are banking laws a problem or is it just U.S. banking laws?

Take a look at the Mondragon cooperatives for a banking system that
takes in money on behalf of the community and lends it out for the
benefit of the community.

-- Jamie